On Child Development: Red Flags to watch out for

Last time, on my post WHEN TO ASK FOR HELP, I mentioned that you need to be aware of the red flags on your child’s development. This list was also my basis when I noticed something odd with my own child’s developmental years. They said “do not compare your kids to others” but during the developmental years, it is advisable to be aware of those delays to be able to make early interventions.

If your child shows two or more of these signs, please ask professional evaluation from a Developmental Pediatrician. I do believe that early intervention is the key to the greatest possible outcome for children with such issues.

The list I got starts from 1 month old, but I don’t want you to focus on that too early. Let’s start when the child is about a year older or so

Developmental Red Flags (12 to 24 months)

• Cannot walk by 18 months
• Fails to develop a mature heel-toe walking pattern after several months of walking, or walks exclusively on toes
• Does not speak at least 15 words by 18 months
• Does not use two-word sentences by age 2
• By 15 months does not seem to know the function of common household objects (brush, telephone, bell, fork, spoon)
• Does not imitate actions or words by 24 mos.
• Does not follow simple one-step instructions by 24 mos.

Developmental Red Flags (24 to 36 months)

• Frequent falling and difficulty with stairs
• Persistent drooling or very unclear speech
• Inability to build a tower of more than 4 blocks
• Difficulty manipulating small objects
• Inability to copy a circle by 3 years old
• Inability to communicate in short phrases
• No involvement in pretend play
• Failure to understand simple instructions
• Little interest in other children
• Extreme difficulty separating from primary caregiver

Developmental Red Flags (3 to 4 years)

• Cannot jump in place
• Cannot ride a trike
• Cannot grasp a crayon between thumb and fingers
• Has difficulty scribbling
• Cannot copy a circle
• Cannot stack 4 blocks
• Still clings or cries when parents leave him
• Shows no interest in interactive games
• Ignores other children
• Doesn’t respond to people outside the family
• Doesn’t engage in fantasy play
• Resists dressing, sleeping, using the toilet
• Lashes out without any self-control when angry or upset
• Doesn’t use sentences of more than three words
• Doesn’t use “me” or “you” appropriately

Here’s another one, you can print this copy if you want.
https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au

May mga nagtatanong sa’kin, pag may 3 or more na sa red flags, may Autism na ba anak ko?

I am not a professional to confirm that, but to give you an idea here is a list of possible “red flags” that most kids diagnosed with autism have:

• Not respond to their name by 12 months of age
• Not point at objects to show interest (point at an airplane flying over) by 14 months
• Not play “pretend” games (pretend to “feed” a doll) by 18 months
• Avoid eye contact and want to be alone
• Have trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own feelings
• Have delayed speech and language skills
• Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
• Give unrelated answers to questions
• Get upset by minor changes
• Have obsessive interests
• Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles
• Have unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel
• Has flat or inappropriate facial expressions
• Does not understand personal space boundaries
• Avoids or resists physical contact
• Reverses pronouns (e.g., says “you” instead of “I”)
• Does not point or respond to pointing
• Uses few or no gestures (e.g., does not wave goodbye)
• Lines up toys or other objects
• Likes parts of objects (e.g., wheels)

Other Symptoms

Some people with ASD have other symptoms. These might include:

• Hyperactivity (very active)
• Impulsivity (acting without thinking)
• Short attention span
• Aggression
• Causing self injury
• Temper tantrums
• Unusual eating and sleeping habits
• Unusual mood or emotional reactions
• Lack of fear or more fear than expected
• Unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel

If you checked 3 or more of the red flags, here’s my LIST OF DEVELOPMENTAL PEDIATRICIANS if you want to have a professional evaluation.

ref: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/signs.html